Abstract Continental slopes are the edges of continental blocks, the zones of change from continental crust to oceanic crust. They are critical links in the chain of sedimentary processes that eventually carry sediment to the true ocean basin floor. In spite of their importance, until recently continental slopes have been largely ignored when compared with research focused on other provinces of the continental margins and deep sea. Spurred by the recognition that a key portion of the margin has been overlooked and by the extension of hydrocarbon exploration into ever deeper waters, interest in continental slopes has burgeoned. In response a special symposium was convened sponsored by SEPM and AAPG at the 1978 meeting in Oklahoma City. This volume, a result of that meeting, is comprised of papers presented at that time.